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Image forming apparatus mounted with replaceable unit, image forming system, and method of controlling image forming apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Electrophotography, Diagnostics, Unit Or Part IdentificationImage forming apparatus mounted with replaceable unit, image forming system, and method of controlling image forming apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060051106, Image forming apparatus mounted with replaceable unit, image forming system, and method of controlling image forming apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus mounted with replaceable units, an image forming system, and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and more specifically, to an image forming apparatus in which the replaceable units are replaceably mounted in an image forming apparatus main body. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] An image forming apparatus which allows a user to easily replace a unit including consumables and the like is known. [0005] Meanwhile, if a replaceable unit replaced by a user is not a genuine article for an image forming apparatus, there are problems in that the performance of the image forming apparatus cannot be sufficiently exhibited, like deterioration of the image quality, the operation of the apparatus cannot be guaranteed, or the apparatus can get out of order. This is because the image forming apparatus controls processes for forming an image in consideration of characteristics of a toner, characteristics of an image carrier, an electrification voltage, cleaning characteristics, fixing characteristics and the like. [0006] Therefore, in order to maintain the image quality of an image forming apparatus, and to prevent occurrence of the above problems, JP-A-10-133528 discloses a method which comprises providing a genuine replaceable part with a data carrier for holding consumption data on consumables, and discriminating whether the genuine replaceable unit has been supplied with the consumables by comparing a consumption detected by a consumption detecting unit provided in an image forming apparatus main body with the consumption data held by the data carrier. [0007] Further, JP-A-6-149051 discloses a method which comprises providing a toner cartridge with a storage unit for storing predetermined coded data, and inhibiting copying when the predetermined coded data stored in the storage unit has not yet been read from the copying machine main body side. [0008] Further, JP-A-2001-100598 discloses a method which comprises performing warning display and printing inhibition when empty information to be written in a cartridge at the time of detection of run-out of a toner is read from a cartridge refilled with a toner. [0009] Further, Japanese Patent No. 2602341 discloses a method which comprises making the count of the images formed and storing it in a memory of a cartridge, and, if a preset final count representing the number of images capable of being formed by a cartridge is equal to the count of images which are actually formed, disabling the cartridge from being used afterwards. [0010] Moreover, Japanese Patent No. 3476704 discloses a method which comprises setting an image forming condition whose level is lowered than that of an appropriate image forming condition, thereby allowing a user to easily find the fact that a mounted toner refilling container is inappropriate, when it is determined that the toner refilling container is inappropriate through duplex communication between a communication unit of the toner refilling container side and a communication unit of an apparatus main body side, and a selective input unit selects the fact that the user continues to refill a toner while inappropriateness of the container is ignored. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] A first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, which can use a replaceable unit other than a genuine article, by a user's intention, even when the replaceable unit other than a genuine article is mounted. Further, a second object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, which can reduce bad effects caused by a state before a replaceable unit has been replaced, when the replaceable unit has been replaced. Further, a third object of the present invention is to discriminate whether or not a replaceable unit is genuine or not, thereby helping a user to select an operation mode suitable for the replaceable unit. [0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image forming apparatus main body; at least one replaceable unit replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body; a detecting unit that detects whether or not the replaceable unit has been replaced; an input unit for selecting a first operation mode corresponding to the replaceable unit which is genuine or a second operation mode other than the first operation mode; a control unit that performs control in an operation mode selected by the input unit, wherein, when the detecting unit detects that the replaceable unit has been replaced, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in an operation mode before the replacement of the replaceable unit, for a predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. That is, when a replaceable unit has been replaced, even if a state before the replaceable unit has been replaced lasts for a predetermined period of time, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in an operation mode before other operation mode is selected, for a predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce bad effects caused by a state before a replaceable unit has been replaced. [0013] In addition, the operation mode mentioned herein means aspects of control of an image forming apparatus, and includes not only programs and control parameters for forming an image, but also input and output conditions, and further includes aspects of display onto a display device, which are not directly related to the image formation. [0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image forming apparatus main body; at least one replaceable unit replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body; a detecting unit that detects whether or not the replaceable unit has been replaced; a discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the replaceable unit is genuine; an input unit for selecting a first operation mode corresponding to the replaceable unit which is genuine or a second operation mode other than the first operation mode; and a control unit that performs control in an operation mode selected by the input unit, wherein, when the detecting unit detects that the replaceable unit has been replaced, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in an operation mode before the replacement of the replaceable unit, for a predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced, on the basis of discrimination results of the discriminating unit. That is, when a replaceable unit has been replaced with a genuine article or any one other than a genuine article, even if a state before the replaceable unit has been replaced lasts for a predetermined period of time, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in an operation mode before other operation mode is selected, for a predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce bad effects caused by a state before a replaceable unit is replaced. [0015] Preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises a storage unit that stores an applied operation mode, and when the detecting unit detects that the replaceable unit has been replaced, the discriminating unit discriminates that the replaceable unit is not genuine, and an operation mode selected by the input unit is different from the operation mode stored in the storage unit, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in the first operation mode for the predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. That is, when a replaceable unit is not genuine and an operation mode is switched to other operation mode, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in the first mode for a predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce bad effects caused by a state before a replaceable unit is replaced. [0016] Further, preferably, the image forming apparatus further comprises a storage unit that stores an applied operation mode, and when the detecting unit detects that the replaceable unit has been replaced, the discriminating unit discriminates that the replaceable unit is genuine, and an operation mode selected by the input unit is different from the operation mode stored in the storage unit, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in the second operation mode for the predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. That is, when a replaceable unit, which has been replaced, is genuine and an operation mode is switched to other operation mode, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in the second mode for a predetermined period of time from the time when the replaceable unit has been replaced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce bad effects caused by a state before a replaceable unit is replaced. [0017] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus main body; at least one toner cartridge unit replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body; a developer container connected to the toner cartridge; a detecting unit that detects whether or not the toner cartridge has been replaced; an input unit for selecting a first operation mode corresponding to the toner cartridge which is genuine or a second operation mode other than the first operation mode, and a control unit that performs control in an operation mode selected by the input unit, wherein, when the detecting unit detects that the toner cartridge has been replaced, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in an operation mode before the replacement of the toner cartridge unit, for a predetermined period of time from the time when the toner cartridge has been replaced. That is, when a toner cartridge has been replaced with a genuine article or any one other than a genuine article, even if a toner before replacement of the toner cartridge remains in a connecting unit or the like, the control unit controls the image forming apparatus to operate in an operation mode before other operation mode is selected, for a predetermined period of time from the time when the toner cartridge has been replaced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce bad effect caused by a toner remaining in a connecting unit or the like. [0018] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus main body; at least one replaceable unit replaceably mounted in the image forming apparatus main body, a storage unit provided in the replaceable unit for storing information on a consumption of the replaceable unit, a discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not the replaceable unit is genuine on the basis of the information on a consumption read from the storage unit, a message output unit that outputs a message according to a discrimination result by the discriminating unit, an input unit for selecting any one of a first operation mode corresponding to the replaceable unit which is genuine and other operation modes than the first operation mode, and a control unit that performs control in an operation mode selected by the input unit, wherein the discriminating unit determines a cumulative consumption of the replaceable unit on the basis of the information on the consumption read from the storage unit, and if the determined cumulative consumption is between a first reference value that needs replacing the replaceable unit which is genuine, and a second reference value which is greater than that the first reference value, the discriminating unit discriminates that the replaceable unit is genuine. [0019] Preferably, the storage unit stores the information on the consumption of the replaceable unit, and information indicating a destination of the replaceable unit; and the discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the replaceable unit is genuine, on the basis of the information on the consumption and the information indicating a destination, which are read from the storage unit. [0020] Preferably, the second reference value is a cumulative consumption that cannot be used by the replaceable unit which is genuine, and the discriminating unit determines the cumulative consumption of the replaceable unit on the basis of the read information on the consumption, and if the determined cumulative consumption exceeds the second reference value, the discriminating unit discriminates that the replaceable unit is not genuine. [0021] Preferably, the discriminating unit determines the cumulative consumption of the replaceable unit on the basis of the read information on the consumption, and if the determined cumulative consumption is smaller than the first reference value, the discriminating unit discriminates that the replaceable unit is genuine. [0022] Preferably, if the cumulative consumption determined on the basis of the information on the consumption read from the storage unit is between a first limit and a second limit, the message output unit outputs a message that urges a user to input whether or not the replaceable unit is genuine, and the control unit switches a current operation mode to another operation mode according to a response to the message. Continue reading about Image forming apparatus mounted with replaceable unit, image forming system, and method of controlling image forming apparatus... Full patent description for Image forming apparatus mounted with replaceable unit, image forming system, and method of controlling image forming apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Image forming apparatus mounted with replaceable unit, image forming system, and method of controlling image forming apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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